Store Manager - Design

University of Fort Hare; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 279,000 - 391,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Fort Hare in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs is seeking an experienced Store Manager with a proven track record in retail leadership. You will drive daily operations, coach the team, and own sales performance while delivering exceptional customer experiences in a premium retail setting.

The role emphasizes team management, stock control, and strong client development to grow store traffic and referrals. Own transport and a keen commercial mindset are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ retail management experience.
• Premium / luxury retail or design-led environment preferred.
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Own transport essential; valid driver’s licence advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and manage the retail team, including rosters and recruitment.
• Own daily store operations, security, housekeeping and standards.
• Drive sales and improve conversion, average spend and repeat business.
• Develop VIP client relationships and clienteling follow-up.
• Oversee stock reception, replenishment and inventory accuracy.
• Manage daily administration, cash controls and store expenses.
• Coordinate store events and collaborations with the owner’s direction.

Skills

Retail management

Microsoft Excel

Team leadership

VIP clienteling

Customer experience

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

R 25 000 - R 35 000 Monthly Cost To Company

Cape Town - Southern Suburbs. Exciting opportunity for an experienced Store Manager with a minimum of 5 years’ retail management experience, ideally within a premium or luxury retail, hospitality or design-led environment. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in leading teams, driving sales and delivering exceptional customer experiences, while taking ownership of the day-to-day running and commercial growth of the store.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, coach and manage the retail team, including rosters, performance, training and recruitment
• Take ownership of daily store operations, security, housekeeping and operational standards
• Drive daily, weekly and monthly sales performance and improve conversion, average spend and repeat business
• Build strong relationships with VIP clients and develop effective clienteling and follow-up
• Oversee stock receiving, replenishment, stock counts and inventory accuracy
• Manage daily administration, cash controls, banking, reporting and store expenses
• Resolve customer, staffing and operational issues efficiently and professionally
• Develop relationships with hotels, concierges, guest houses, tour operators, tour guides and complementary local businesses to increase store traffic and referrals
• Coordinate store events, launches and collaborations, ensuring smooth execution and effective customer follow-up
• Provide relevant sales, customer and operational insights while supporting the owner’s creative and merchandising direction

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years’ retail management experience, with responsibility for a store, team and sales results

Premium / luxury retail experience strongly preferred; high-end hospitality or design-led retail experience will also be considered

• Proven ability to improve sales through team leadership, customer development and follow-up
• Strong experience in staff management, recruitment, training and performance management
• Sound stock, cash, administration and reporting skills
• Confident using retail systems, sales reports and Microsoft Excel
• Excellent spoken and written English
• Highly organised, dependable and commercially minded
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Able to take ownership, make sensible decisions and follow through without constant supervision
• Own transport essential; valid driver’s licence advantageous for local business development